Donald Trump's portrait removed from Colorado's state capitol following president's criticism
Charmayne Allison with wires
Topic:World Politics
12m ago12 minutes agoTue 25 Mar 2025 at 10:21pm
A wall of portraits with one removed
The plaque that marked the placement of President Trump's portrait is all that remains. (AP Photo: David Zalubowski)
In short:
US President Donald Trump's portrait has been removed from the Colorado State Capitol.
It comes after Mr Trump called on Truth Social for it to be taken down.
What's next?
A spokesperson for Colorado Senate Republicans says it's unknown when the portrait will be replaced.
A portrait of Donald Trump has been removed from the Colorado State Capitol, after the US president claimed it was "purposefully distorted" and "truly the worst".
Mr Trump took to Truth Social on Sunday night, US time, demanding the oil painting be taken down as it did not accurately depict him.
"Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves," he wrote.
"But the one in Colorado ... was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before."
A hung up portrait of a man in formal attire with a gold frame.
Mr Trump said the painting did not accurately depict him. (Truth Social: @realDonaldTrump)
At some point late Monday or early Tuesday, the portrait, by Colorado Springs artist Sarah Boardman, was removed and placed in storage.
The plaque that marked the placement of President Trump's portrait, alongside other presidents, is all that remains.
Legislative leaders on both sides of the political divide will now decide how to replace the painting.
But Joshua Bly, a spokesperson for Colorado Senate Republicans, told the Associated Press it was unknown when this would happen.
"We have no idea when a new portrait is going to go up, how it’s going to be fundraised, who is going to pay for it, who is going to paint it," he said.
He said it was also unclear whether Mr Trump would be able to approve the replacement.
Colorado Republicans raised more than $US10,000 ($15,862) to commission the oil painting, which has hung in the state Capitol since 2019.
Mr Trump also criticised the artist, who has painted portraits of several US presidents, including Barack Obama and George W Bush.
"The artist also did President Obama, and he looks wonderful, but the one on me is truly the worst," he said on Truth Social.
"She must have lost her talent as she got older."
Speaking to the Denver Post in 2019, the artist said it was crucial her subjects looked apolitical.
"In today's environment it's all very up-front, but in another five, 10, 15 years he will be another president on the wall," Ms Boardman said.
"And he needs to look neutral."
Following Mr Trump's complaint, Colorado Governor Jared Polis's office issued a statement to multiple outlets.
The statement said the governor was "surprised" the US president was an "aficionado" of the Colorado State Capitol and its artwork.
"We appreciate the president and everyone's interest in our capitol building," the statement said.
"[We] are always looking for any opportunity to improve our visitor experience."
ABC/AP
Posted12m ago12 minutes agoTue 25 Mar 2025 at 10:21pm
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